E-pistle

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI

September 26, 2012

A DIGITAL NEWSLETTER FOR

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI

Published each Wednesday by The Catholic Telegraph and the Office of Communications at Cincinnati, Ohio.

E-pistle

Publisher - Most Rev. Dennis M. SchnurrEditor - Stephen A. TrosleyDirector of CommunicationsDan AndriaccoSend submissions to strosley@catholiccincinnati.org and dandriacco@catholiccincinnati.org

What would it look like for

the Catholic community in

the United States to “win” an

election?See the letter

from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr in

October’s Catholic Telegraph

coming to your home soon.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., the differences on abortion between President Barack Obama and his Republican presidential opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, were clear. Speeches in prime time on successive nights touted the president's support for keeping abortion legal, and videos praised his stands on "reproductive choice" and "women's rights." The speakers included Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America; Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Amer ica ; and Sandra Fluke , a Georgetown Law School graduate who has spoken out against religious exemptions to the Department of Health and Human Services' contraceptive mandate. At the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., there were few speeches that touched on abortion, but candidate Romney pledged in his acceptance speech to "protect the sanctity of life" and the GOP platform states that "the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed." "We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the

Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children," the platform adds. "We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or fund organizations which perform or advocate it and will not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage." The Democratic Party's platform approved in Charlotte says the party "strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to m a k e d e c i s i o n s r e g a r d i n g h e r pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay. We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right."

In recent years, there has been much

debate about whether Catholics can legitimately support a candidate who does not oppose abortion, if the candidate's positions on other issues are in line with church teaching. In a document prepared for the 2012 elections, the Catholic bishops of Kansas answered that question with a decisive no. "The Catholic faith requires Catholics to oppose abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia, assisted suicide and the redefinition of marriage," said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City and Bishops Michael O.

Abortion: Difference between Obama,

Romney distinct and clear as election nears

Please see next page.

Our Catholic WorldSept. 5, 2012

Page 2 Sept. 26, 2012

Jackels of Wichita; John B. Brungardt of Dodge City; and Edward J. Weisenburger of Salina. "These matters are not negotiable, for they contradict the natural law, available to everyone through human reasoning, and they violate unchanging and unchangeable Catholic moral principles," they added. As a matter of fact, the Kansas bishops said, those issues should not be seen, strictly speaking, as political issues. "Instead, they are fundamentally moral questions involving core Catholic teachings on what is right and what is wrong," they said. "Catholics who depart from church teaching on these issues separate themselves from full communion with the church." On the issue of assisted suicide, neither candidate has taken a clear stand, although the Republican platform states: "We oppose the nonconsensual withholding or withdrawal of care or treatment, including food and water, from people with disabilities, including newborns, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose active and passive euthanasia and assisted suicide." The Democratic Party's platform makes no mention of the issue. In response to a question about assisted suicide in 2008, Obama said he was "mindful of the legitimate interests of states to prevent a slide from palliative treatments into euthanasia" but thought that "the people of Oregon did a service for the country in recognizing that as the population gets older we've got to think about issues of end-of-life care." Assisted suicide has been legal in Oregon since voters approved it in 1994. It also is legal in Washington state and in Montana. As president, Obama revoked President George W. Bush's policy on embryonic stem-cell research, which limited such research to cell lines derived from embryos before August 2001. He allowed the National Institutes of Health to expand the acceptable lines to any embryos created for in vitro fertilization purposes and later discarded, if the couple agreed to such research. Romney's campaign site calls stem-cell research "a great scientific frontier," but says it "must be pursued with respect and care." "When confronted with the issue of stem-cell research as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney chose to support life by vetoing a bill that would have allowed the cloning of human embryos," it added. "Quite simply, America cannot condone or participate in the creation of human life when the sole purpose of its creation is its sure destruction." The campaign site expresses support for adult stem-cell research and "alternative methods to derive pluripotent stem cells, such as altered nuclear transfer and direct reprogramming" and says Romney as president "will focus his energy on laws and policies that promote this kind of research to unlock the medical breakthroughs that our loved ones so desperately need." On the issue of the death penalty, the Democratic platform says it "must not be arbitrary." "DNA testing should be used in all appropriate circumstances, defendants should have effective assistance of counsel, and the administration of justice should be fair and impartial," it adds. The Republican Party's platform says, "Courts should have the option of imposing the death penalty in capital murder cases." "Our national experience over the last several decades has shown that citizen vigilance, tough but fair prosecutors, meaningful sentences, protection of victims' rights, and limits on judicial discretion can preserve public safety by keeping criminals off the streets," it adds. The U.S. Catholic bishops, in their document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," say "our nation's continued reliance on the death penalty cannot be justified." They support efforts to end the use of the death penalty "and, in the meantime, to restrain its use through broader use of DNA evidence, access to effective counsel, and efforts to address unfairness and injustice related to application of the death penalty."

"We oppose the

nonconsensual

withholding or

withdrawal of care or

treatment, including

food and water, from

people with

disabilities, including

newborns, as well as

the elderly and infirm,

just as we oppose

active and passive

euthanasia and

assisted suicide."

Republican Party Platform

Abortion: DIfferences distinct and clearContinued from front page

Page 3 Sept. 26, 2012

Around the Archdiocese

z

The St. Francis de Sales (Lebanon) Knights of Columbus and a new ultrasound machine.

The St. Francis de Sales (Lebanon) Knights of Columbus Council as well as the Supreme Council, has enable the Women’s

Center-Lebanon, to upgrade its ultrasound technology to a state-of-the-art 4D machine. The Women’s Center is a pro-life pregnancy medical center in Warren County operated by Elizabeth’s New Life Center.

“We’re delighted with the efforts and generosity of the Knights of Columbus, both the local council and the Supreme Council,” said Alisa Manion, manager of Women’s Center-Lebanon. “Because this new machine allows us to offer our pregnant clients the best view possible of their unborn babies, we look forward to seeing an increase in the number of babies saved through our center.” In 2011 Women’s Center-Lebanon served 419 unique clients, including 201 abortion-minded/abortion-vulnerable individuals. Of those, 94 percent changed their minds to carry with 188 babies saved. The Ohio Department of Health reported 283 induced abortions by Warren County residents in 2010, the latest figures available.

The upgrade was made possible through the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Program. The St. Francis de Sales Knights of Columbus Council #14408 led the initiative on behalf of Women’s Center-Lebanon. The council needed to raise $23,750 in order to qualify for a match from the Supreme Council to purchase the ultrasound machine, which costs $47, 500. To reach their goal Darren Szwajkowski, council member and pro-life director for the council at St. Francis de Sales parish, spearheaded a Bottles for Babies campaign at the church, which brought in almost $9,000. Altogether the council raised $12,866.43, and an individual donor provided $11,645 to meet the goal.

The new machine replaced aging equipment at the Lebanon center with more advanced technology that provides sophisticated and detailed ultrasound imagery. Such sonograms have been proven to be effective in educating abortion-minded individuals on life inside the womb and inspiring them to recognize and recognize the unborn child as an individual person.

This is the second machine received at one of the centers operated by Elizabeth’s New Life Center through the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Program. Last spring, 12 local Knights of Columbus councils raised funds for a new 4D machine for Women’s Center-Sidney: Celina, Coldwater, Greenville, McCartyville, Minster, Ft. Recovery, Russia, Sidney, St. Henry, St. Mary’s, Versailles, and Wapakoneta. Their contributions also were matched by the Supreme Council. Presently additional Dayton-area Knights of Columbus councils are working to raise money to replace aging equipment at Women’s Center-Kettering, which also is operated by Elizabeth’s New Life Center.

Page 4 Sept. 26, 2012

Around the Archdiocese

Holy Name of Jesus Church in Trenton will open 40 Hours Devotion after the 8 a.m. Mass on Friday, Sept. 28, and will continue through the night on Friday and Saturday, pausing only for the celebration of the weekend Masses. The devotion will close at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, with the procession of Our Eucharistic Lord, accompanied by some 18 priests and the faithful. For more information, call 513-988-6335. Fr. Tom Ryan SJ will lead a three-day Ignatian men’s retreat at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford Sept. 28-30 entitled “Men of Faith Following Jesus.” The retreat will be silent and based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. For more information, or to register, call 513-248-3500, ext. 10, or visit www.jesuitspiritualcenter.com.

The annual Magnificat Women’s Conference will be held at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, on Saturday, Sept. 29, beginning with Mass and the rosary at 8 a.m. Featured speakers include Radio Maria's Francesca, and also Radio Maria's president, Mary Piper. Other speakers include Cathy May of Coldwater and Jim Gruden. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Cost is $20. To register, call Rene Klosterman at 419-678-4700, or Ginny Gehret at 419-942-2473.

The Fifth Annual Friends of the Poor Walk in Dayton starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, with check-in at 9 a.m. Friends and supporters of the St. Vincent De Paul Society of Dayton will walk or run a 3.5K to raise funds and awareness in the fight against poverty in the Dayton area. Bring your children in strollers or your dog on a leash. Food and refreshments are available. To register, download the registration form at www.saintvincentdayton.org. For more information, call Terry at 937-222-7349, extension 419. If you are unable to walk, you can contribute online at the St. Vincent website.

The Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford is offering the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola Retreat Sept. 30 - Nov. 1, and the

Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life (for individuals) once a week from September through February. For information, email Fr. Tom Ryan SJ at tryan@jesuitspiritualcenter.com or call (513) 248-3500, ext 25. Theology on Tap is coming to Al’s Diner in Fort Loramie on Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Panel members, including a nurse, farmer, teacher, engineer, and a stay-at-home mom, will discuss “Living Your Faith in the Workplace.” Theology on Tap is a unique opportunity for people in their 20s and 30s to come together, hear a great speaker or two,and meet people of their own age and ideals. Contact Amy Hess at ahess@coldwatercluster.org. for more information. Jennifer Roback Morse, economist, author, professor, and social commentator, will talk on “Making the Case for Marriage,” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Gertrude Parish School Gym in Madeira. Dr. Morse is the founder and president of the Ruth Institute, which is devoted to promoting among college students the truth of life-long marriage. Her talk is sponsored by the Dominican laity, the Knights of Malta, and Ruah Woods. Sr. Betty Finn will facilitate “Job Searching? A Day Especially for You!” from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse in Delhi Township. This day is designed for those who are involuntarily unemployed and are not feeling good about the process of searching. It is a day to refresh yourself with recognition of what a wonderful person you really are. The day will not include employment opportunities or information. For additional information, write spirituality.center@srcharitycinti.org or call 513-347-5449. Registration is required.

The Jesuit Spiritual Center is offering personally directed retreats Oct. 5-12. These individualized and silent retreats will offer participants a quiet time spent in the tradition of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

Each day will include Mass and a 45-minute meeting with a carefully selected spiritual director. During the rest of the day, retreatants can spend time in contemplative and solitary activities, including prayer, journaling, reading, walking on the grounds, art, and music. Although the retreats last for seven days, accommodation can be made for shorter stays. For more information, or to register, call 513-248-3500, ext. 10, or visit www.jesuitspiritualcenter.com. Join in Saturday, Oct. 6, for the 9th annual Run for the Nuns, supporting the Poor Clare Sisters of the Monastery of St. Clare in Cincinnati. This family-friendly 5K run /walk begins at 9 a.m., preceded by a pet blessing and dog walk at 8:30 a.m. at Harbor Point in Winton Woods, a Hamilton County park on the north side of Cincinnati. For information and registration details, go to http://www.poorclarescincinnati.org/.

The Dayton Catholic Women’s Club’s “Day of Recollection” in remembrance of deceased members will begin with 9 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Englewood on Saturday, Oct. 6. A light breakfast will be served, followed by a presentation on “Human Trafficking” by Theresa Flores, licensed social worker and Masters Graduate in Counseling and Education from the University of Dayton. Following the luncheon will be the rosary, door prizes and closing remarks. Pre-registration is required by Monday, Oct. 3. The cost is $15 per person. Send your check to Julianne McCain, 6438 Noranda Dr., Dayton, OH 45415. If you have questions, call her at 513-694-2176.

A Renewal of Life for women and men, led by John Quigley, OFM, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Mt. Notre Dame Spirituality Center, 701 East Columbia, Cincinnati. This day will be an investigation into the connections between St. Francis of Assisi and Jesus, and how their spirituality can nourish us. For more information, call 513-679-8191.